Joint Security Destroys Kidnap Hideouts in Rivers, Recovers Arms, Communication Radios

 Press Release 

In a decisive escalation of efforts to combat entrenched criminal networks, the Rivers State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has dismantled suspected kidnapping strongholds in IPO and Igwuruta-Ali, exposing the depth of organized crime operating within the state.

The operation, carried out on April 12, 2026, reflects a coordinated security response under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at flushing out criminal enclaves that have long posed threats to residents and commuters along key corridors in Rivers State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Agabe Kaborlo Blessing, detailed the scope, execution, and outcomes of the joint security operation.

Acting on intelligence, tactical teams of the Police, alongside the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), stormed the identified camps in a carefully synchronized operation. The locations, believed to have served as operational bases for kidnapping and other violent crimes, had reportedly become safe havens for criminal gangs exploiting difficult terrains and limited surveillance.

The raid led to the destruction of the camps and the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and operational tools, including an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, cartridges, locally fabricated bulletproof materials, communication radios, and heavy-duty cutting equipment. The nature of the recovered items points to a well-organized network with both defensive capability and logistical coordination.

Of particular concern to investigators is the discovery that the pump-action gun recovered at the scene is suspected to belong to the leader of a local vigilante group, OSPAC, who had earlier been reported abducted. 

Although one suspect was arrested during the operation, several others escaped, highlighting ongoing challenges in sealing off such locations during rapid-response missions. Authorities have, however, intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and rescue any victims linked to the group.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, described the operation as a critical breakthrough in disrupting criminal infrastructure in the state. He emphasized that the success underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-led policing in addressing evolving security threats, while assuring residents of sustained pressure on criminal elements.

The Command further reiterated the availability of its emergency response channels, urging residents to promptly report suspicious activities and security concerns. The Command Response Unit (CRU) can be reached via 07057605209, 07057605256, 08120822987, and 07072323049, while the Control Room line remains 08032003514.